Desk News: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that in the future, our peacekeeping missions must be more modern, far-sighted and technology-based. To this end, the government is implementing initiatives to modernize the armed and police forces in phases to fulfill its responsibilities in the UN peacekeeping mission or in the international arena.
He said these things at a program organized on the occasion of the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers. The program was organized at the Army Hall of the Dhaka Cantonment this morning.
At the time, the Prime Minister said, on the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers, I remember with deep respect those brave people from all over the world who sacrificed their lives while performing the great responsibility of establishing world peace.
He said, since 1988, 175 peacekeepers from Bangladesh have been martyred while performing their duties as members of the United Nations peacekeeping force. Many were injured. I pray for the forgiveness of their souls. This sacrifice of the martyrs as members of the United Nations peacekeeping force will be a shining example not only for Bangladesh, but also for anti-war and peace-loving people.
He further said that their sacrifice proves not only the independence and sovereignty of the motherland but also that the members of the peacekeeping force under the flag of the United Nations are determined to maintain peace in any part of the world at any cost.
But stating that this path was a friend’s, the Prime Minister said that the glory and achievements that our peacekeepers have achieved on the world stage were not easy. They had to fulfill this great and humane duty through hundreds of adversities, limitations and difficult challenges.
Addressing the peacekeepers, Tarique Rahman said, “You are performing your duty to establish world peace with dedication, courage and professionalism in a hostile environment, away from your families and relatives. I express my deep gratitude and thanks for your contribution to establishing world peace.”
At the beginning of the program, the contribution of the country’s military forces to the UN peacekeeping mission was highlighted through a video. At the same time, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman presented the crest of honor to the families of the martyred peacekeepers and the injured.
At that time, the Prime Minister said that so far, more than 200,000 peacekeepers of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police have successfully served in about 63 peacekeeping missions in 43 countries of the world. Currently, about 5,860 Bangladeshis are serving in 10 peacekeeping missions in different parts of the world with honesty, dedication and sincerity. Preparations are also underway to join a new mission in Haiti.
She said that along with men, about 11 percent of the female members of the Bangladesh Armed Forces and Police are actively serving in establishing peace in war-torn areas with courage. But this history of our glory in maintaining world peace was not written in a day. For about four decades, the Bangladesh Armed Forces have been a name of trust and reliability in the international arena.
Stating that the armed forces are a symbol of a country’s independence, honor and courage, Tarique Rahman said that the role of the army in the birth war of Bangladesh was historic. A major of the army declared the independence of Bangladesh. This glory and pride are a source of eternal inspiration for our armed forces. Therefore, it is the duty of the armed forces to protect this glory so that it does not fade in any way.
He said that, however, at different times and in different contexts, some misdeeds about the armed forces in the country or the armed forces have sometimes caused confusion in the public mind. There were also various activities to destroy the image of the armed forces at home and abroad. However, the army stood united under the leadership of the proclaimer of independence on November 7, 1975, confronting all conspiracies.
Tarique Rahman said that even then, activities to destroy the unity of the armed forces are ongoing at different times and in various incidents. The all-out attack on the armed forces came in February 2009. We all know what happened in Bangladesh as a result of that blow. So, the main message for the uniformed forces is that without ‘professionalism, unity, discipline and chain of command’ it is difficult to survive with honor and dignity.
The Prime Minister said, not only past practices but also lessons from the past, fascism-free Bangladesh has now created an opportunity to establish itself in every state and constitutional institution with its own glory. Those who are serving in the armed forces or in the government or public administration are all citizens of Bangladesh. Let our commitment today be to properly fulfill the responsibility we are performing, whether at home or abroad.
Stating that the current world is going through a complex situation, Tarique Rahman said, the challenges of UN peacekeeping missions have now become much more multifaceted and risky due to the changing geopolitical equation and rapid evolution of technology. In addition to conventional wars, cyber warfare, misuse of artificial intelligence, media propaganda and security crises caused by climate change are new obstacles to world peace.
Stating that Bangladesh has always believed in the principles of independence, sovereignty and mutual state dignity, he said, ‘Therefore, our future missions must be more modern, far-sighted and technology-based. In such a situation, the government is implementing initiatives in phases to modernize the armed and police forces to perform duties in the UN peacekeeping mission or in the international arena.
The Prime Minister said, we are determined to maintain the commitment to world peace, international coexistence and justice expressed in our constitution. Bangladesh fully respects multilateral diplomacy and the UN Charter to build a safe and peaceful world against any aggression and conflict.
He said, Bangladeshi peacekeepers have set a glorious example of their sincerity, sense of duty and professionalism on the world stage. Each member of the peacekeeping mission represents Bangladesh in different parts of the world, and is a bearer of the country’s honor and dignity. I hope that in the future, those who will go to different countries to perform duties in the international arena will similarly uphold the reputation of Bangladesh in the world court.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaid Islam, Prime Minister’s Defense Advisor Brigadier General (Retd) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, Army Chief General Waqar-uz-Zaman and others also spoke at the event.
Members of the Council of Ministers, Chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force, officers and members of the armed forces, and diplomats from different countries were present at the event.
Every year, the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers is celebrated worldwide on May 29. But this time, it is being celebrated on June 10 as per the state decision due to the holy Eid-ul-Azha holiday in Bangladesh.
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